The White House just rolled out what might be the most ambitious postwar governance experiment in recent memory: a "Board of Peace" for Gaza that Trump himself will chair.
According to BBC reports, the founding lineup includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law. The roster also features Marc Rowan, Ajay Banga, and Robert Gabriel, with each member assigned specific portfolios tied to Gaza's stability.
The Mission
Think of it as temporary management for Gaza during what officials are calling a transition period. The board would handle both day-to-day administration and long-term reconstruction efforts, all wrapped into Trump's broader 20-point peace framework.
Trump described the panel Thursday as the "Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place." More members are coming soon, the White House said.
The International Roster
Trump's been busy sending invitations beyond U.S. borders. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney got the call, and a senior Canadian official told journalists that Carney plans to accept, according to CBC News. The BBC reached out to Carney's office for confirmation.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also received an invitation. Egypt's foreign minister confirmed they're reviewing it.
Blair stands out as the only founding executive member without a U.S. passport. He ran the UK from 1997 to 2007, then spent years as the Middle East envoy for the Quartet. He said he's "honoured" by the appointment and called it a "real privilege" to work alongside Witkoff and Kushner, adding he looks forward to advancing "the president's vision to promote peace and prosperity."
The Ground Operation
There's also a parallel Palestinian structure in the works: a 15-member technocratic committee called the NCAG. Ali Shaath will lead that group, while Nickolay Mladenov will serve as the board's on-the-ground representative in Gaza.
Security gets its own component too. The plan envisions an International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, with U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers tapped to command it.
